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AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy is an ancient art and a modern science. For centuries, civilisations across the world have used plant extracts and herbs for medicinal and emotional effects. In ancient Egypt the birthplace of aromatherapy it was a way of life; records dating back 4,50OBC tell of the use of perfumed oils.Aromatic substances were so highly prized that they were offered to the Gods.Modern aromatherapy using the distilled essential oils has probably been in use for about one thousand years. Aromatherapy is a holistic form of treatment; caring hands on therapy can induce relaxation, increase energy and reduce the effects of stress. Essential oils are the working tools of aromatherapy. Essential oils are highly concentrated extractions from plants stored in the tiny sacs, or duet, or the minute hairs on a leaf.

WHY AROMATHERAPY WORKS

Because pure essential plant extracts almost mirror the human body's cellular structure, oils absorb deeply into the living layers of skin to blend with your body cells, rejuvenating them. In this pure form, essential plant extracts are strong and healthy. These properties are transferred to your body's cells as the oils absorb. The medical community in Europe has widely embraced aromatherapy and its rejuvenating qualities and employs pure extracts to complement traditional methods of healing and health care. To avoid unwanted symptoms, people need to learn how to relax and this is how pure plant extracts can help emotionally and physically. While the aromatics (fragrance) of essential oils stimulate the nervous system and therefore the rest of the body ‑ through the sense of smell, the medicinal properties of plant extracts are absorbed deeply into the living la'yers of the skin to actually work within the body.

SMELL, SENSE OF

The sense of smell, or olfaction, is less well understood than any of the other senses: sight, hearing, touch and taste (although the latter is partially connected with the sense of smell). In the past few years research in Japan and England has increased our knowledge of the physiological processes by which our bodies experience odors, and of course such discoveries enrich our understanding of how essential oils can affect both body and mind so powerfully.

The olfactory nerves lie in the upper part of the nose. Unlike the nerves involved in touch, hearing, etc. they are directly connected to the brain. Indeed, they have been described as 'brain cells outside the brain'. Because of this, the sense of smell is the most immediate of our senses. It is also the most fleeting" perception of odors is sharpest when the odor is first smelt but decreases in intensity very quickly. This can be seen in two phenomena known as 'fading' and tiring'. 'Fading' takes place when we are exposed to one smell for a period of time, and can be illustrated by the example of a cook who does not smell the food being prepared, because he or she has been working with this food in the kitchen for some time. Somebody coming into the kitchen will notice the delicious aroma, and if the cook went out for a while and came back into the kitchen later, the smell would be noticeable because his/her nose had been away from that smell for a while, so it would react as to a new stimulus.

'Tiring' takes place when we are exposed to a succession of smells within a relatively short time. Very soon we lose the ability to distinguish clearly between one smell and another and they all begin to smell rather alike. You may have experienced this when trying out perfumes in a shop. If you try to sample more than three or four essential oils in succession the same phenomenon occurs. Now, let us take a more detailed look at what happens when an essential oil (or any other odoriferous matter) is inhaled.

Essential oils, and other odorous substances, are very volatile, they evaporate into vapor easily when exposed to the air. In this form they are breathed into the nose. The inside of the nose is always moist, and the particles of the aromatic vapour dissolve in this moisture. The olfactory nerves can only detect aromatic particles when they are in this liquid form. From the main body of each olfactory cell, several fine filaments called cilia extend into the layer of moisture (mucus) in the nose, and the tips of these filaments are equipped with receptors which detect the presence of any aromatic particles. Information about these particles passes along the cilia to the body of the cell. From here longer nerve fibers transmit this information to the brain, passing through the bony plate at the top of the nose (the cribriform plate). The brain identifies the particular smell, and we become conscious of perceiving it. All this happens almost instantaneously.

In recent years, the invention of electron microscopes with enormous powers of magnification, have revealed more about the way in which the cilia detect odorous particles. The receptors at the tips of the cilia are varied in shape. The molecules that make up the particles of anything that has a smell are also different shapes and sizes according to their origin, and when the smell receptors come into contact with molecules that match their own shape, this correspondence triggers off the process that transmits information to the brain. The brain identifies the smell according to which type of receptor has picked it up. This does not mean that the information transmitted indicates I rose' or 'tomcats': such distinctions come from associated areas of the brain where memories of earlier smell experiences are stored. What the cilia can transmit is that the smell is sweet or acid, flowery, woody, heavy or light and so forth. Like wine tasting. Most odors are quite complicated, and made up of many different elements. The variety of shapes of the smell receptors enables us to register all these complexities, and the total input is then interpreted by the brain as that particular odor.

However, that is not the whole story, for the nose can detect far more different smells than the ears can detect sounds. Taste and sight are even simpler, as all taste and all vision is registered through only 3 or 4 different kinds of nerve cells. But the nose registers as many as ten thousand different types of smell sensation, and there do not appear to be ten thousand different kinds of receptors, so it seems likely that, as well as their shape and size, the rate of vibration of individual smell molecules plays a part in distinguishing between the myriad of smells that exist.

In understanding the physical actions of essential oils on the body, it helps to know that the area of the brain in which smell is registered, is linked by nerve‑pathways to the hypothalamus, a structure at the base of the brain which is involved in regulating many important body activities. These include the endocrine system, which controls the secretion of hormones affecting growth, sex metabolism and other functions; the autonomic nervous system which controls most of the unconscious activities that maintain life, such as digestion, rate of heartbeat and breathing and so forth; control of body temperature and hunger. Just how impulses from the part of the brain registering odour affect the hypothalamus, we do not know, but the connection can be easily observed.

Smelling good food makes us feel hungry; 'bad' smells, such as decaying meat can make us vomit and certain odors may arouse sexual feelings. Maybe one day we will know why this is, but for the understanding of aromatherapy, it is enough to know that these reactions do happen.

Why and how odors affect our emotions and memories is even less clear, though some ideas about this are discussed in the entry for MIND.

I am sometimes asked whether people who have no sense of smell can benefit from aromatherapy treatment. In fact they can, because essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream, either through the skin or via the lungs when they are inhaled, so they can have a beneficial action on the body even if the recipient cannot smell them. It is doubtful, though, whether the same mental or emotional response to the oils could be experienced.

ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential Oils are highly concentrated extractions from plants, used in small quantities and contain the special properties of that particular plant. These properties are not lost during extraction, and in some way, enhanced. Essential oils are obtained from any part of the plant. It may be the petals or the leaves that the oils are obtained from, the gum from the tree, the seed or fruit, it may be the rind of the fruit, or in some cases, the whole fruit itself.

Essential Oils are odorous and highly volatile. They are different from fatty oils. Their consistency is more like water. Their chemistry is highly complex containing alcohols, esters, ketones, aldehydes, and terpenes. All essences should be protected from light and air, and stored in dark glass bottles in a cool, dry environment. They have a long shelf ‑life, but when mixed with a carrier oil, last for 2 to 3 months. Essential Oils are lipophilic and absorb into the fats of the skin. They usually are clear and soluble in alcohol, ether and fixed oils. Time is of great importance when picking the plant. Many factors must be taken into consideration, the weather, country, time of day, health of the crop, soil conditions, and the method of cultivation. The essential oil content of the plant varies from 0.01% to as high as 10%, so a considerable amount of material is needed to produce this amount of oil. This is true from some of the flower essences which are obtained from the petals, and governs their high cost ‑ it can take 60,000 roses to make up .01 ounce of rose oil. Essential Oils are often adulterated with alcohol, fixed oils, essential oils of a lower grade and certain synthetic substances. Essential Oils are not fatty, but are light, and some are like alcohol in their texture. Being oils, they mix readily with fatty oils, but do not dissolve in water. Essential Oil is 70 times more concentrated than the herb or plant.

Massage is the most important method of applying essential oils, for it involves the direct human contact between the helper and the person seeking help. This is an important part of the healing process. Esential Oils are readily absorbed through the skin, the process can continue for some hours after the actual massage has taken place.

Aromatic baths, are also very pleasant. Essential oils can be chosen to re-fresh and tonify, to relax and to help with sleep. To help skin conditions, to relieve muscular and other pains, or simply for the, pleasure of taking a perfumed bath.. Inhalations have been used for many centuries, particularly for respiratory problems, such as catarrh, coughs, colds, larynizitis, and sinusitis. Compresses are a valuable way of treating muscular pain, sprains and bruises, as well as reducing pain and congestion in internal organs. There are many other uses for essential oils. They make delightful personal perfumes. They can be either in an atomiser or as a simple plant spray.

Essential oils are obtained from the plants in various methods. The most common is called distillation. Water and Steam Distillation is where the steam travels into the mixture of water and plant. Steam Distillation is where steam produced in a boiler is separate from the still. Through a piece of pipe in the bottom of the still, the steam is blown through the plant material which rests on a grid.

Vacuum Distillation is the most popular. This is steam distillation under a partial vacuum. This gives quick distillation with a minimum of harm to the essential oils. It creates a rapid rate of boiling.

Lavender oil is steam distilled from the freshly cut flowering tops and stalks of the plant. It grows wild, or is cultivated. Distillation takes place in the South of France where the plant grows at medium altitudes of this mountain region. High altitudes means lower temperature boiling. Consequently, the distilled oil is not exposed to 100% hot steam, but only to 92%.

Expression is a process exclusively for the peels. These are cold pressed. The peel contains a small quantity of the essential oil.

Enfleurage is carried out almost exclusively in the South of France. This process is mainly for the flower petals that do not yield enough essential oil for distillation, or for the flowers that cannot withstand exposure to heat and steam. Also, some flower petals continue to develop and give off perfume long after they have been harvested. A layer of fat will absorb the essential oil from the flowers. They are left then for 24 hours. The flowers are then taken off by hand and new ones replaced. The spent flowers may also be used to make a concentrate 'of ‑rose water. After many batches, the fragrant fat is removed. This is known as POMADE. From the pomade, an absolute is obtained by mixing it with an organic solvent. This is then distilled to obtain the essential oil. This process can take up to 3 months to complete.

The skin on the soles of the feet absorbs essential oils very fast, and makes this a good way to get the oils into the body, plus its very relaxing. Use warmish water 3 or 4 drops of essential oil (soak feet). A footbath seems more effective if given after a reflexology treatment. Footbaths are helpful in situations where a full aromatic bath would not be practiced or not available, such as when treating elderly or less mobile people or may have difficulty getting in and out of baths.

Properties: Analgesic, anti ‑ depressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic,

Uses: Acne, asthma, boils, bronchitis, burns, catarrh, cystitis, depression,

The analgesic, antiseptic and antibiotic properties of Lavender oil makes it valuable for treating colds, coughs, catarrh and sinusitis. Massage a little Lavender (2 drops in a teaspoon of oil) into the throat to combat that sore or tickled feeling. Massaged into the temples will relieve headaches. Massaged into sore muscles will relieve pain. Massaged into lower abdomen will relieve menstrual pain. It's soothing and antiflammatory properties help many skin condition. It makes a great natural insect repellent when sprayed around the room in a plant sprayer, or sprinkled in your clothes drawer. Because of Lavender's balancing effects, it is very effective for unbalanced emotional states such as hysteria, manic depression, or widely fluctuating moods. Lavender baths using 4 to 7 drops of Lavender will be very effective. For children, use 2 to 4 drops diluted in a generous tablespoon of carrier oil before putting into a bath.

Properties: Analgesic antidepressant, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, sedative, tonic.

Uses: Burns, depression, dermatitis, diabetes, diarrhoea, eczema, nervous tension, skin care, sore throats and wounds.

Geranium promotes speedy healing which makes it useful for treating injuries. Used incorporated with a carrier oil, it helps to release fluid retention, and is valuable aid to elimination in general.

Geranium can be of great assistance in menopausal problems and all conditions where fluctuating hormone balance is indicated. It has "stimulating effect on the Lymphatic System.

Geranium will help keep your house free from flying pests in summer. As it is a lovely deodorant oil, it will keep your house sweet smelling, balancing and harmonizing.

Cedarwood is said to be at least as good as Sandalwood for mucous ‑ like discharges and gonorrhoea. Its precise antiseptic effects are unknown. It should be given in massage when there is pain, burning or difficulty in urinating and is a valuable remedy for cystitis. It may be used with other essential oils in inhalations for all types of respiratory complaints. Like Sandalwood, it is also a sedative and may be used in conditions associated with anxiety and nervous tension. It is generally more useful for chronic complaints than acute ones.

Cedarwood in high concentrations will irritate the skin. It . is a very good repellent. Cedarwood is abortive and should not be used by pregnant women.

Cedarwood oil was possibly the first essential oil to be extracted from a plant and was used by the Egyptians in the mummification process.

Properties: Analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, calmative, sedative, and digestive.

Bergamot must never be used undiluted as it can cause skin irritations. It is a very cooling oil. Bergamot oil has a strong affinity with the urinary tract, and is valuable in treating cystitis. Regular baths in 4 to 7 drops of Bergamot will help arrest the problems. Bergamot is a very uplifting oil, helps disperse anxiety, and if incorporated in the bath, helps tense, anxious or depressed people. It inhibits certain viruses, in particular, the Herpes Simples 1 Virus, which is the cause of the common cold sore. This is one time where this oil can be used neat. Apply 1 drop to a cotton bud and dab onto the affected area at least twice a day.

Properties: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, aphrodisiac, carminative, digestive, hypotensive, sedative, general tonic.

Best used in the bath giving a euphoric effect. Only use 4 to 7 drops. It is very useful in treating all kinds of stress. It is a powerful muscle relaxant. It is a warming and antispasmodic oil and with gentle massage over the stomach will be very comforting to any digestive problems. For this, 2 drops of oil is advised. Also, it is very good for relieving menstrual pain or irregular periods. Clarysage is a great oil for giving one a sense of well being.

Properties: Analgesic, anticonvulsive, antidepressant (this will help lift the mood of the person) antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, nervine, sedative, tonic. Helps in the relief of muscle spasms.

Uses: Allergies, boils, burns, conjunctivitis, depression, dermatitis, diarrhoea, ear ache, fevers, headaches, insomnia, irritability menopausal problems, migraine, rheumatism, teething problems, toothache, ulcers, vomiting, and open wounds.

The properties of Camomile do overlap with those of Lavender. Camomile is usually better for dull aches, and Lavender for acute pain. Baths in Camomile and a massage is the best treatment. In the bath, put 4 to 7 drops and 2 drops up to a tablespoon of carrier oil is advised. For children, remember to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil before putting it into the bath water. Camomile is wonderful for muscular and joint pain. Camomile is a very gentle oil and is good for treating children. Teething infants can be soothed by rubbing a little Camomile, diluted in a tablespoon of carrier oil. It can also help by placing 2 drops into the cheeks. Earache can be relieved by massaging around the ear. For insomnia, soak in a Camomile bath for 10 to 15 minutes.

Properties: Analgesic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, hypertensor, nervine, stimulant, sudorific.

Uses: For asthma, burns, colds, diarrhoea, fainting, headaches, hypotension, hysteria, influenza, mental fatigue, migraine, nervous disorders, rheumatism, wounds and general sluggishness.

Rosemary is best used in the bath, thus giving a stimulating effect. It is an excellent brain stimulant. It is very important that Rosemary is NEVER USED on somebody WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSUIRE. It makes an excellent tonic. For the bath, the recommended dosage is 5 to 10 drops. 2 drops can be used in a tablespoon of carrier oil to relieve pain such as Rheumatism or Arthritis. This is a good oil for tired, stiff and overworked muscles. Bathing in Rosemary will certainly give you a pick ‑ me ‑ up, as it is stimulating, and warming. The piercing qualities and aroma of Rosemary makes it a valuable oil for many respiratory problems, ranging from the common cold, catarrh, and sinusitis, through to asthma, for all 3, it is best used in steam inhalation ‑ its ability to clear the head works on both the physical, as well as the mental plane in the body.

Properties: Antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, deodorant, sedative and tonic.

Patchouli has a good anti ‑ inflammatory and antiseptic effect. It is also good for cell regeneration, so should be a vital part of skin care. Having a very strong aroma means this should be used in small doses.

Some consider Patchouli to be a wonderful aphrodisiac. Try it for yourself, and make up your own mind. When used in a bath, using 5 to 7 drops, it is found to be beautifully relaxing sensual.

Uses: For bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, laryngitis, skin care, ulcer, and for wounds.

Frankincense is best used in the bath as an inhalation, or as a massage oil. This makes it valuable for respiratory problems. When used in a bath, use 4 to 7 drops, sit in the bath, and inhale the aroma. For children, use 2 to 4 drops diluted in a generous tablespoon of carrier oil, before placing it in the bath.

As a massage oil, use 2 drops to a generous tablespoon of carrier oil, and massage into the chest.

Frankincense has a calming effect on the emotions. It also gives an uplifting effect. Use regularly in the bath. For this reason, it is an aid for meditation rejuvenating, comforting.

Properties: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, astringent, depurative (purifying the blood), diuretic.

Juniper has been traditionally used in France as a tonic, especially in convalescence, and where a generally sluggish condition is due to poor elimination, also this is one of the root causes of rheumatism, gout, arthritis, and other muscular conditions.

Juniper is a very helpful treatment for cellulitis, because some accumulated toxins are associated with fluid retention, so detoxifying and diuretic action of Juniper works hand in hand.

The cleansing properties of Juniper work on the mental and emotional plane as well as the physical.

Uses: Asthma, circulatory tonic, nervous tension, spasmodic cough, whooping cough, varicose veins.

Cypress may help to prevent asthma attacks and treat whooping cough and croup. It is useful in treating all conditions where excess fluid is a problem. A humble, but very welcome, use for cypress is for sweating feet.

With its locally constricting action on veins, with its astringent qualities is very helpful for an external application to piles. Add 4 to 6 drops of Cypress to a bath.

One of the most important oils for strengthening varicose veins is used as a bath oil and applied very gently over the area of affected veins. PLEASE NOTE Massage can be used above the effected area of the vein, but never be used below as this will increase the pressure in the vein.

Uses: For depression, hypertension, insomnia, nervous tension, and in skin care.

DOSAGE, as this could cause headaches. Ylang Ylang has a soothing effect and is wonderful for calming. Use as a bath oil with a recommended dose of 5 to 7 drops.

It can be used to help people who have sexual difficulties, for these are often the result of stress and anxiety.

Locally stimulates circulation causing reddening of the skin. Use Black Pepper in massage blends for muscular pain. It is good for athletes and dancers who are in training. Use before muscular exertion, seems to prevent pain and stiffness later, and possibly, improves performance. Keep the Black Pepper in proportion when blending, as it can possibly cause local irritation if it is overused.

Uses: Infections, burns, acne, tinea, stings, sinus congestion, sore throat, cold sores.

For cut infections, burns, acne, tinea and stings the oil can be dabbed into the affected area 2 to 3 times a day.

For sinus congestion the oil can be applied to sinus area or inhaled using vaporization or steam bath. For cold sores, dab it on at the first burning sensation that proceeds the blisters. Tea Tree strengthens the immune system and can be also used diluted in a douch for thrush. (Refer to douch notes).

Uses: Depression, frigidity, headache, impotence, insomnia, irregular menstruation, skin care.

Rose oil itself was said to be accidentally discovered in Persia at a wedding feast of a Princess and Emperor. The finest and most expensive rose oil comes from Bulgaria and is known as Rose Otto. It takes 30 roses to make one drop of Bulgarian Rose Otto.t I'll

Rose 1known as the Queen of essential oils! There is something unmistakably feminine about' the scent of roses and one of the main medicinal uses is for female complaints'. Rose qualities has a powerful effect on the uterus, its cleansing purifying regulating and tonic It can be used to regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce excessive loss. Rose is thought to aid constipation.

On the mental emotional level its effects are greater. Its valuable in helping women suffering from post‑natal depression or depression following the breakdown of a relationship. Try Rose and Sandalwood in a blend together.

Rose is also a very good oil for skin care. It can be used for all skin types but it is especially valuable for dry, sensitive or aging skins.

It has a tonic and astringent effect on the capillaries just below the skin surface, which makes it useful for diminishing the redness caused by enlarged capillaries. (Often known as thread veins in the cheeks). Treatment must be kept up for some weeks.

Rose has longed been renounced as an aphrodisiac. Romans scattered rose petals on the bridal bed.

Properties: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, sedative.

Sandalwood has been used in India for many centuries, both in traditional medicine and perfume. It has been used for at least two and a half thousand years for the treatment of various infections of the urinary tract such as cystitis.

Sandalwood is one of the best essential oils to use in the treatment of chronic bronchitis and can be used for sore throats. The best method of use are inhalations and external application to chest and throat, also it seems to live up to its reputation as an aphrodisiac.

This citrus tree grows in many states of U.S.A. where it is the American variety of East Asian mandarin. High in Vitamin C with a delightfully fresh smell, Tangerine is a gentle oil suggested for use in pregnancy. The oil is obtained by puncturing and squeezing the rind of the fruit.

The "light" nature of this scent makes it popular with most people but especially so with the young.

The name "Mandarin" camo. from Chinat where traditionally the fruit was offered as gifts to the Mandarins as well as being safe to use during pregnancy. Tangerine oil is also helpful to prevent stretch marks.

Properties: Alagesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, stimulant, depurative (purifying the blood).

Uses: Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, colds, coughs, einphysema, sinus, diabetes.

Eucalyptus is almost universally known as a decongestant inhalation for colds and catarrh but it has many other known uses, most important of these is its very powerful bactericidal and anti viral action.

A steam inhalation with eucalyptus is an effective expectorant, particularly good for cleaning up heavy mucus discharge associated with chest and throat infections. Good insect repellent.

Send mail to empedoclies@thecollegeofmaat.org

with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 The College Of Maat
Last modified: March 28, 2010

Send mail to empedoclies@thecollegeofmaat.org

with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2006 The College Of Maat Last modified: March 28, 2010

with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 The College Of Maat
Last modified: March 28, 2010